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Tips and Tricks: Oil Change Mt Airy MD

Car maintenance involves many things that most people would do best to leave with the experts, but there are some things that are simple enough that you can do them just by yourself. One of the simpler things you can do to extend the lifespan of your car is to change the oil.

There are many oil change Mt Airy MD service centers and technicians, so if you don’t want to tinker with your car or don’t have the time to do it, you can always opt to have it done for you, though it will deal more damage to your pocket. But whether you choose to do it yourself or have it done for you, these few simple tips and tricks can save you money, time, and effort on your oil change.

1. Do You Really Need an Oil Change?

Depending on who you ask, the answer to this question will change. If you’re a DIY-kind of person, you’ll be leaning more towards the “no” side, for money-saving purposes. If you bring your car for a checkup, you can bet the guys over there will probably say “yes”. But what if you’re somewhere along the middle, unsure of what to do?

A good way to see if you need to have your oil changed is by looking at your oil. Too much, too little, too thin or too thick oil can all cause problems for your car.

What you can do is use a dipstick to see the level, the thickness (or thinness) and the color of your oil. If your dipstick returned more muck-like goo than oil, you definitely need an oil change.

2. Follow Manual’s Instructions When Changing Oil Manually

Different makes and models hold will have different instructions, so despite what anybody says, the only person who really knows how to take your car apart is the one who built it.

Make sure you change your oil while your car is parked on a level surface, with the engine turned off, with the handbrake pulled up, and with your tires blocked.

Make sure you have a container or receptacle to catch the old oil. Don’t let it spill on the ground. Also, replace the oil filter before putting the plug back on, and remember to pour in the new oil after you have replaced the drain plug. Use a funnel when pouring new oil to avoid spillage.

Never light a cigarette or a match while changing your oil.

Remember to take the used oil to a recycling facility.

3. Keep a Close Check on the Upgrades at the Car Center

If you don’t know what you’re up against, you might get billed for things that you don’t actually need. For starters, make sure to go to qualified oil change Mt Airy MD service centers and technicians, so that you don’t get conned into paying for a service they didn’t provide.

Make a list of the things they say they’re going to do to your car, and make sure that they did each one. If they say they’re going to replace a car part (like your oil filter), put a small mark on it with a pencil or a marker and check if it really was replaced.

Those are just a few of the tips that you should know about changing your car’s oil either manually or by going to an oil change Mt Airy MD service center.